Our Favorite Etsy Shops for Chinese New Year 2015

Lantern decorations during Chinese New Year season
(Photo by Samsul Said)

People celebrate memories and histories of loved ones in many wonderful ways, and we, the Everlasting Footprint Team, find creations that honor cultural heritage truly inspiring. Leading up to Chinese New Year 2015, on February 19, we commemorate China’s unique cultural legacy and the Year of the Sheep.

Ancient Chinese legends tell how a beast (whose name meant “Year”) was defeated using firecrackers and items of red. Today, the passing of the Year is one of the most important holidays in China. Thousands of people travel to their hometowns to see extended family, and celebrations can last up to 15 days. Parades, dancing, feasting, and gift-giving conclude on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival, during which friends and families light lanterns and hang them together.

The online community of shopkeepers at Etsy connects people looking to buy and sell vintage items and handmade artwork for Chinese New Year celebrations, parties, and tributes. Each shopkeeper, and each item they bring to market can’t be found anywhere else. Each has a history, a legacy, and a story.

At EF, we are dedicated to bringing people together to share stories and express feelings on celebrating life and cultural heritage. What better way than to review some of the amazing pieces, artisans, and craftspeople who work to keep China’s history alive, every day?

Although there are thousands of great Etsy shops that feature handmade and unique Chinese New Year collectibles, party items, and artwork and merchandise, here are our Top 5 Favorite Etsy Shops for Chinese New Year:

The Jade Merchant

Deana at The Jade Merchant has been operating on Etsy since 2012, and describes the shop as allowing her to fulfill her passion for working with her hands. Her beautifully carved and handcrafted pieces include a number of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry that celebrate the beautiful range of the colors of Chinese jade. Her Signature Pieces collection includes beautiful Double Happiness pendants, which are traditional New Year’s gifts between loved ones.

Zen Brush

Although Zen is a Japanese term, the artist and Etsy shopkeeper at Zen Brush applies his talent to paintings from many cultures. With smooth, simple calligraphy skills, the Zen Brush artist offers a variety of Chinese New Year-inspired art, including a number of paintings that celebrate the animals of each year of the Chinese Zodiac. With brush strokes that are simultaneously medatative and celebratory, the artist at Zen Brush offers whimsical artwork for the Year of the Sheep (or Year of the Goat) in both color and black and white.

YenzArtHaut and Sarah Belle Vintage & Design

If you’re having your own Chinese New Year’s party this year, you may be looking for fun, interesting invitations to provide your friends and family have the party information. Two shops on Etsy provide a variety of fun and interesting invitation designs that you can use to bring your friends and loved ones together to celebrate the new year.

YenzArtHaut offers a number of fun and fanciful invitation designs that you can customize, download, and print or digitally deliver immediately. Because 2015 is the Chinese Year of the Sheep, they have several colorful, eye-catching designs featuring sheep and goats.

Sarah Belle Vintage & Design offers not only elegant, customizable invitations for your Chinese New Year’s gathering, but additional printable materials to make sure that the elegance carries through all aspects of your party. Check out their customizable placecards and water bottle labels.

Alphabet City Studio

One of the happiest family celebrations, a time to get together and honor love and legacy, is when someone you love is expecting a baby. Alphabet City Studio has baby bodysuits (“onesies”) that make the perfect Chinese New Year’s gifts for your expectant loved ones. Sporting the Chinese characters for “love” or “Year of the Sheep,” your loved ones’ new bundle of joy will be the hit of the party. Celebrate the new life in your life and culture of Chinese heritage at the same time.

Celebrate the culture, legacy, and heritage of your family all year long. At your Chinese New Year 2015 party, remember that moments spent with loved ones are the best way to celebrate life together, every day.

About Cortni Merritt

Managing Editor, Cortni Merritt, MA, reads everything she comes across. She has degrees in both psychology and English, and has been a composition instructor, and a copywriter for lawyers, a coordinator at a dating service, and a property manager of apartments. Cortni makes it her mission to read people's stories.